The G7 summit, which groups Canada, the US, the UK, France, Italy, Japan and Germany, is being held in the town of La Malbaie in Quebec, Canada.

The leaders of the nations, which represent more than 60% of global net worth, meet annually. Economics tops the agenda, although the meetings now always branch off to cover major global issues.

What did Mr Trump say about Russia?

Mr Trump said he regretted the meeting had shrunk in size, putting him at odds with most other G7 members on yet another issue.

“You know, whether you like it or – and it may not be politically correct – but we have a world to run and in the G7, which used to be the G8, they threw Russia out. They should let Russia come back in,” he said.

He found support in the shape of the newly installed Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who tweeted that it was “in the interests of everyone” for Russia to be readmitted.

Canada, France and the UK though immediately signalled they remain opposed to Russian re-entry. A Kremlin spokesperson said they were interested in “other formats”, apart from the G7.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently in Beijing, where he was presented with a friendship medal by Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Fellow members of what was then the G8 suspended Russia after it took control of Crimea, saying it would remain until Russia “changes course”.

Trump arrives with a bang

Relations between Donald Trump and America’s leading allies were already at a new low over trade tariffs before the president casually dropped his Russia hand-grenade.

Most G7 leaders think the decision to expel Russia in 2014 was right then, and remains right today. Even Russia itself seems lukewarm about rejoining.

In many ways, this seems to be a deliberate Donald Trump tactic, to distract attention from his war of words with the rest of the G7 over trade and protectionism.

President Trump dislikes the whole idea of the G7: a club of nations which traditionally comes together around shared values rooted in a world order based on agreed rules. Last to arrive, he’ll also be first to leave.

What were the exchanges on the eve of the summit?

It was mainly France and Canada v Donald Trump, sparked by Mr Trump’s imposition of steel and aluminium tariffs.

Appearing alongside host leader Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron said: “A trade war doesn’t spare anyone. It will start first of all to hurt US workers.”

For his part Mr Trudeau described Mr Trump’s citing of national security to defend his steel and aluminium tariffs as “laughable”.

Never one to back down, Mr Trump fired off a series of tweets, keeping up the tirade on Friday.

According to the leaders’ programme, Mr Trump will be around for the economic and security issues being discussed on Friday but will miss climate change, the environment and probably gender equality on Saturday.

The US president was very much the odd man out on climate change during the G7 in Italy last year, later announcing his intention to withdraw from the landmark Paris agreement.

3 thoughts on “G7: Trump says Russia should be part of summit”

He is an absolute lunatic, he is very dangerous to the whole world. To me, it sickens me that this piece of human trash is an American at all. The Republicans do not have the interest of the country at all in their minds or hearts and they prove it each day by not going full force to impeach this piece of feces. The worsts of this bunch of traitors is my states own Senator, McConnell and he has already announced that he is running for re-election, he will be in his 90’s by then. There should an age limit for all politicians, I honestly believe that all of them should have to retire no later than their 72nd birthday. These people are so far out of touch it is sickening. They only care about their party and their power, we the people have got to do something to get this trash out of office before they bring the whole country down. But outside of just killing them I don’t know how to do it and I know that by the teachings of Christ, I/WE are not allowed to do that. I pray that these people will change but I know in my heart and Soul that they will not, they do not care about the people of our country, they are pure traitors to our people, our Nation.

I agree, we have a power hungry maniac in our White House surrounded by thugs because no one else will do his bidding or than our cowardly Republican Congress. They should hang there heads in shame for putting wealth before their country. Not one word of dessert from the congress other than McCain to his outrageous comment that the G7 should bring Russia back in. It’s heartbreaking to watch this happen we must get all these young people coming of age to vote and help us clean out this swamp , hope it’s not too late. I don’t know who is the bigger fool, Trump or his followers.

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Just an average man who tries to do his best at being the kind of person the Bible tells us we are all suppose to be. Not perfect, never have been, don't expect anyone else to be perfect either. Always try to be very easy going type of a person if allowed to be.

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